The invitational conference sought to create an atmosphere in which public library administrators and youth services librarians might freely discuss and reach consensus regarding a definition of the appropriate role of Florida public libraries in service to youth in the decade ahead, appropriate, realistic objectives for public libraries' youth…

Presents standards for reference services developed by the Suburban Library System (Illinois) and discusses the effects of the standards on youth services. Standards for a written reference plan, reference staff, reference sources, and evaluation are included. (11 references) (MES)

Standards for public libraries have undergone dramatic changes in the last decade. Traditional standards measured only "inputs," or what the community put into the library in terms of staff, books, funding, etc. However, these standards did not measure the services that the library produced, and, as a result, the Public Libraries…

Chronicles trends in prison libraries during last decade--improved standards, more attention to educational and vocational services, continued interest in reentry materials and services and networking, and emphasis on jail library services. Goals of prison librarianship predicated upon availability of professional librarians are explored, and 23…

Examines the background, roles, services, and ways in which the modern prison library can meet the needs of both inmates and prison staff. Discusses international and national standards as well as the special skills needed by library staff to deal with difficult prison patrons. (Author/LRW)

As institutional roles change in response to contemporary pressures on them, new opportunities arise for combining forces to achieve common objectives. With today's technological revolution in handling information, the role of the public library is both challenged and reaffirmed. Resources may be allocated from state and national levels of…

As background for defining public library adult services in the 1980s the perceived role of the public library in the United States since its inception is summarized and changing definitions are analyzed. Data collection and analysis plans for the Adult Services in the Eighties Project are described. (EM)

This publication, which replaces "Standards for Library Functions at the State Level" (third edition) published in 1985) acknowledges and celebrates the richness and diversity of state library agencies while documenting the reality of what they currently do. The publication is divided into two sections. The first section of these standards…

Reviews the history of the development of departments and schools of education, and discusses the corresponding development of education libraries with respect to the quality of library services. A 48-item bibliography is included. (CHC)

Reviews the current dynamic nature of library service to the disabled and institutionalized, emphasizing that the concept underlying the provision of special materials, facilities, and programs for such persons is not essentially different from that which underlies service to other adults: the librarian's role is to serve as intermediary between…

This essay reviews the functions of the Tanzanian National Central Library (NCL) and evaluates the activities performed and services provided by the NCL in light of the definitions of national library functions established by UNESCO and by K. W. Humphreys, Librarian of the University of Birmingham. The relationship between the NCL and the…

Discusses the current widespread acceptance of the public library model for prison libraries, in which preferences of the inmates are the chief consideration in programing and collection development. It is argued that this model results in recreational programs and collections that fail to fulfill the prison library's role in education and…

Increased recognition of the public library in Nebraska came about in 1901 with the establishment of the Nebraska Public Library Commission. In the seventy years of the Commission's history, the number has grown to 260 public libraries. With the establishment of regional library systems on a cooperative, contractual basis in Nebraska, in 1957, all…

Describes a process undertaken by small, rural libraries in Massachusetts in which trustees, librarians, and community leaders identified the possible roles of libraries and prioritized needs for individual communities. The results include an emphasis on community standards rather than national, and a list of three basic roles of all libraries.…

Orr's schema for measuring the quality and value of libraries is described and discussed with respect to three paradoxes--the evaluation of catalogs, optimal library size, and Lenin's view of public libraries in the U.S. Seven references are cited. (CHC)